Quote 48 - Waiting

Moment 24 - Worst Times

Worst times happen in the most unexpected moments in our life. At times, when we are more complacent about our day to day activities, our most dreaded nightmare will suddenly engulf us without any warning. And all hell will break loose, violently tearing us apart.

The level of intense fear and severe anxiety may vary for each one of us but regardless of the level and intensity, we cannot deny its effects in us. And most probably, only the mentally challenged individual may care less about the situation at hand.

Though worrying will bring us nowhere and it is just a matter of time for things to be right again, still, the ever-present lingering thought of the dreadful situation is like a monster that haunts us even in the deepest corner of our soul. The torments of each passing second may kill whatever sanity that is left in us. And every time we close our eyes, all we can do is to wish and pray that every thing will turn out right.

If you happen to read this, though you don't know me personally, please include me in your prayers. Please pray for me to hurdle this challenge and for me to regain my peaceful existence. May the good Lord bless your kind soul. Thank you.

Quote 47 - Celebrate

Random Thought 24 - Blood is Thicker than Water

When we are facing a life changing situation, our family will be the first one to come to our side. With them by our side, no superficial explanations are needed and questions will not be raised in order for us to have their support. And no matter what the odds are, no one can hurt us within their fold.

At times, we might not be able to understand them but at the end of the day, they are the only ones who will welcome and embrace us with so much love. We might have some indifference towards some of our family members but then again, when the worst of time is at hand, personal differences are automatically brushed aside.

I guess I am so much blessed with a supportive and loving family. And no matter what trials may come my way, their unending and unquestionable support are always there. Thank you guys for making me whole and being loved even though deep inside, I am struggling and slowly tearing apart.

Food Trip 23 - Halo-halo

During summer, one great tasting treat that has a big come on to young and old alike is halo-halo.

Literally speaking, when the heat of the sun becomes unbearable during the summer season, Filipino entrepreneurs would put up a small stall in a corner of a street and for sure halo-halo is part of their offering. Of course, in malls and restaurants, halo-halo is part of their menu to attract more dining clients.

Halo-halo means to mix is a cold treat which is a combination of mostly these stuffs: sweetened cooked beans, macapuno strips, gelatin, nata de coco, palm fruit, ripe nanca, leche flan, ube, diced sweetened cooked ripe banana (saba), sugar, evaporated milk, ice cream, and ice. With these ingredients mixed altogether inside a glass or a bowl, it is a guarantee that summer heat can be best enjoyed with halo-halo.

Exploring Philippines 23 - Zambales (Post 3 - Capones Island)

The moment we reached the summit of the mountain, we rest for a while, took some pictures, and enjoyed a great view. After a while, we made our way down the mountain. As we merrily follow the path leading towards the shore, the great contrast of the mountain was noticeable. The part where climb in going up was almost a dead one. It was covered by black stones and is barely supporting life. While its other side, tall grasses covered the whole stretch. But since it is summer, the grasses are all brown except those at the bottom of the mountain.

But even if the grasses were all brown, it still has a beauty of its own. If only I had enough time to stay, definitely I could have spent more time capturing this perspective. But since I traveled with a group, I had to maximize whatever opportunity there was to frame my subjects. 

After several steps from the top of the mountain, we were at the shoreline again. Since this part of the island is facing the West Philippine Sea, the waves here are rolling one after the other. On the other side of the island the waves are a bit gentle, but in here, they are more alive.

Aside from the active waves rushing to the shore, one can possibly notice right away the stones that scatter all throughout the area. You name it and this island got it. From the powdery like sands to giant stones and rocks, they all converge in this island. 

Just a word of advice to those who would like to visit this island. You better equip yourself with a pair of sturdy sandals and be prepared to get wet any moment. The path that leads toward the Capones lighthouse is not an easy one. The moment you'll lose your footing on the slippery grounds, you'll end up hurting yourself. All necessary cautions should be observed while enjoying the whole stretch of the trip. And you don't have to hurry, one step at a time will do the trick and it will not hurt if you're going to take your sweet time.

With the beauty that surrounds the place, lots of pictures along the way will definitely make the memory of the place lasting. And most probably, the best part in taking pictures would be allowing yourself to experience the splash. Yes!. It is definitely a total fun experiencing the waves against your body while making your striking pose.

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Poem 23 - Hay, Buhay

Mahal ko siya
At wala ng iba pa
Ayaw nyang maniwala
Hindi daw nya nadarama.

Mabuti pa daw ang iba
At buhos ang atensyon sa kanya
Kaya't sya ay masaya
Dahil mahal nila siya.

Anong klase ba yon?
Ang tanong ko sa kanya
Para naman may paraan
Upang sya ay handugan.

Katahimikan ang tanging sagot
Nagmukha tuloy akong engot
Hindi masabi ang gusto
Nais nyang ito ay matanto ko.

Ang hirap pala ng ganito
Di kayang sabihin ang gusto
Ang hirap pa naman manghula
Ako tuloy ay napapatulala.

Simple ako kung magmahal
Sa kalooban ko ito'y bukal
Kung ito ay nais na masukat
Baka ako ay magiging salat.

Sakaling di ko maibigay
Ang ninanais nyang tunay
Paano na ang bukas
Ito ba'y sadyang magwawakas.

Ganito ba talaga ang buhay
Kakaiba at sadyang makulay
Minsan kung kelan ay okay na
Biglang may kung anong hirit pa.

Quote 46 - Greatness

Moment 23 - Me, The Farmer

Even though I grew up in the province where planting and growing of native crops are the common means of earning an income and raising a family, I never had a chance to actually engaged in clearing a field from wild grasses nor harvesting rice using a knife. Since it is a dangerous activity and should not be taken lightly, I was forbidden to use it and engage in similar activities.

This picture was taken at Calawit in Taal Volcano after our visit to Taal Lake's crater. Since there was a graduation thanksgiving and a celebration, we were resting that time waiting for lunch to be served by the family of the barangay captain. Milon, one of our tour guides, handed me his knife, made me pose, and he took this picture of me.

Quote 45 - Witness

Random Thought 23 - Sleep

I sleep a lot and it’s true. In a care free day, I would enjoy dozing off and spend some extra time in bed.

Actually, during busy days, I sleep a little. A good three to five hours sleep would be okay for me. But on a free day, I can spend half a day simply enjoying my stay in bed.

A long, good sleep literally empties my mind of worries and every time I wake up, I am totally refreshed with so much energy to burn.

It is such a gratifying activity, inexpensive and very relaxing. So if you plan to invite me for other fun-filled activities, better inform me ahead of time because whenever I am home, I am programmed to sleep.

Food Trip 22 - Pizza

There are times that I simply feel like going to bed with a little something in my stomach. Though others recommend that our food intake by nighttime should be light because we have less or little activity after dinner.

If time and opportunity permits and I can sacrifice rice for my dinner, I will go for a couple of slices of pizza. But then again, my discriminating taste would make me go for a sea food or hawaiian flavor. And if I have my way, I would definitely love to have lots of cheese in it.

Italian flavor is a big no-no for me because I don't appreciate its sour taste. And the all-meat pizza could be the last one in my list.

Anyway, have a slice and let's enjoy this great food.

Exploring Philippines 22 - Zambales (Post 2 - Capones Island)

When we leave Camara island, the sea became a bit rough. There were instances that I literally had to hold unto both sides of the boat because the up and down movements of the boat made me uneasy. 

I am normally not comfortable with sea travels though during a morning ride, the waves are a bit friendly. Since Zambales  is facing the West Philippine Sea, rough waves are a common thing. Risks are synonymous with exploration and since exploring the Philippines makes me love and appreciate my country, I have to prepare myself and learn to face my fears.

After 10 minutes, we finally reached the shores of Capones. From a distance, there were already visitors enjoying the tranquility of the island. A very early morning visit to this place gives you plenty amount of time to fully explore the island as well as enjoying the clear blue water while the sun is not yet hot.

At past 9am, we finally touched the white powdery sands of the Capones island. It is always a delight and a rewarding experience to freely feel the powdery sands under your feet. But on the upper part of the shore, stones and corals make up the rest of the shoreline.

We approached a rock formation that's part of the mountain. It is one gigantic thing and from the looks of it, it has been counting centuries and will still continue counting. But the sad part of this experience was seeing all those names that were written on its walls. Though it looks like a fun thing to do by leaving our marker on a particular place, vandalizing it is an eyesore to other visitors. I hope we can enjoy the beauty of a place , leave our mark by taking as many great pictures as we can, and share them to others without making the place look awful after our visit. 

Anyway, we walked the whole stretch of the shore leading towards the famous Capones lighthouse. Though it was almost midday and the heat of the sun can be terribly felt, our excitement made us forget the sunburn on our skin. We simply enjoy the good view, the fresh air, and our experience of this place.

We reached the end part of the shoreline and we made our way to the upper part of the mountain. What is intriguing about this part of the island are the black stones that scatter within a particular area. Could it be that these black stones came after a volcanic eruption? Hmmmm.

The moment we reached the summit, the view is totally awesome. With this kind of  a remarkable view, one will surely forget all his woes and sorrows and simply submit himself to the embrace of this beautiful place. 

And one great jump shows it all.

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